Are these Vloggers just a scam? SOL or Shmee etc? (Vol. 3)

[CourtAgain]

UmpaLoompa said:

eadingleberry said:

It does feel to me that full time TGE is falling off. The cars are a lot better, but he seems quite joyless. It's all very dry. Ha.

Agree - i feel that the authenticity is falling away and it's all just too cynical nowadays. I get the whole 'churn' thing clearly makes him a lot of money but i can't help but feel the videos are just not funny anymore - and any constructive criticism seems to be stamped down by the 'chaos crew' as negativity. Even the recent roadtrip one was boring when it could have been so much more. Having said that, maybe i'm just hugely jealous of his fantastic car fleet

I guess Corona made a big change to the usual itinerary of TGE, Tony Gravelwood, Archie and their mate Alex, or James (JE) his brother meeting up in "Youtube Square" with their Ferarri's etc... some of the cars in his collection you just don't see anymore. That Aston Martin he bought, and the classic Defender I've not seen for some time. He does seem to have changed since buying the M3 which had a connection to losing his dad. He mentioned other issues like anxiety which can be overwhelming... but I can't shed a tear for the usual churn of watches and for some reason, Electric Bicycles...

[evoraboy12]

CourtAgain said:

I guess Corona made a big change to the usual itinerary of TGE, Tony Gravelwood, Archie and their mate Alex, or James (JE) his brother meeting up in "Youtube Square" with their Ferarri's etc... some of the cars in his collection you just don't see anymore. That Aston Martin he bought, and the classic Defender I've not seen for some time. He does seem to have changed since buying the M3 which had a connection to losing his dad. He mentioned other issues like anxiety which can be overwhelming... but I can't shed a tear for the usual churn of watches and for some reason, Electric Bicycles...

What did he say about anxiety? Just that he suffers from it?

[nuttywobbler]

Harry’s Garage (and farm) are by far my favourite of the YouTube channels. I must admit I’m a sucker for a CarWow drag race, too. Don’t really follow much else. I’ve watched Jonny Smith aka Carpervert a few times, but I think I find his stuff a bit dull if I’m honest.

[fridaypassion]

saxon said:

I guess the appeal of these channels is to see people 'living the dream' and owning cars most of us can only fantasize about, but there's no denying that to do so requires a very high level of income!

If you're of more modest means but a petrolhead I think the best advice I can give is to try to buy your dream car but then resist the urge to upgrade or change it every 2-3 years. I bought a TVR Griffith 4.0 litre secondhand in 1996 aged 27. It was a big stretch at the time but I paid it off over 5 years and resisted the urge to buy a brand new 5.0 LItre Griff which is what in an ideal world I would have done. As a result when I got married and a baby came along in my mid thirties the TVR was all paid up and all I had to find was the petrol and the maintenance bills. As a result there was no significant pressure to sell it because it wasn't costing me £600 a month in repayments.

I bought a daily driver of course eventually (in 2002) and despite some very tough financial times have been able to keep the Griff. During that time I have seen many friends and people on here forced to sell their pride and joy when the financial pressures of having kids or redundancy come along.

Of course the downside of doing this is the fact I never did get a 500 Griff, or a Lotus Esprit or Morgan Plus 8, all of which were on my desired car list. The upside however is that I now have a 24 year history and relationship with my Griff, a load of memories and I haven't had to wave goodbye to driving something really special. As I am now 51 I just hope I can keep enjoying her into retirement.

So my advice to the young guns - buy what you really want and then keep it! Don't keep changing car (unless you really can afford it easily)

Saxon

I agree with the sentiment but my answer would be that if you want to live the dream of owning these types of cars go out and earn to buy them. This has been covered many many times in this thread but the transparency of ownership or source of funds for the cars makes the line blurred for the viewer. Indeed I think this topic may have been the original question posed in vol1.

I can't imagine anything worse than been lumbered with an old can you can't afford to replace even if it is a relatively nice one. Being able to experience different cars and broaden your horizons is a true gift and we will be the last generation of humans able to do so with the cream of ICE powered cars. If you want to strive for more get up and go do it it's really not that hard in this country. Hard work and dedication in the vast amount of cases will yield results.

[TheHighlander]

Did anyone see "DMODEEJAY" doing 150mph plus one handed whilst making a video with his phone in a McLaren on a dual carriageway in England somwhere.

How does he get away driving how he drives and posting it on youtube with no issues by the looks of it.

He doesn't do anything to hide the fact either, video of the speedo with him chatting away.

[Beefmeister]

nuttywobbler said:

Harry’s Garage (and farm) are by far my favourite of the YouTube channels. I must admit I’m a sucker for a CarWow drag race, too. Don’t really follow much else. I’ve watched Jonny Smith aka Carpervert a few times, but I think I find his stuff a bit dull if I’m honest.

Drag races are the Youtube golden ticket these days. We (BOTB) sponsor all of Archie’s ones and the recent RS6 vs Urus one has blasted through a million views. Staggeringly popular.

[anonymous-user]

Beefmeister said:

nuttywobbler said:

Harry’s Garage (and farm) are by far my favourite of the YouTube channels. I must admit I’m a sucker for a CarWow drag race, too. Don’t really follow much else. I’ve watched Jonny Smith aka Carpervert a few times, but I think I find his stuff a bit dull if I’m honest.

Drag races are the Youtube golden ticket these days. We (BOTB) sponsor all of Archie’s ones and the recent RS6 vs Urus one has blasted through a million views. Staggeringly popular.

Would a proper drag race, on an actual track, with some cars with adequate horsepower be as popular? It should, be generally isn't. I suppose it's because the audience can relate to an RS6 as it's somewhat more 'pop culture' than stuff designed for drag racing that's completely alien to the audience. Of course there's the argument of "you only drive in a straight line, therefore it's crap if it doesn't go around corners".

I'd love to put the Corvette up against a Chiron, or Turbo S next year at the Pod. It would be eye opening, but if it's not road legal, doesn't go around corners and cant do a lap of Belgrave Square, it's simply irrelevant in YouTube car culture

[Beefmeister]

NFC 85 Vette said:

Would a proper drag race, on an actual track, with some cars with adequate horsepower be as popular? It should, be generally isn't. I suppose it's because the audience can relate to an RS6 as it's somewhat more 'pop culture' than stuff designed for drag racing that's completely alien to the audience. Of course there's the argument of "you only drive in a straight line, therefore it's crap if it doesn't go around corners".

I'd love to put the Corvette up against a Chiron, or Turbo S next year at the Pod. It would be eye opening, but if it's not road legal, doesn't go around corners and cant do a lap of Belgrave Square, it's simply irrelevant in YouTube car culture

It’s a tricky one, I too would love to see a proper drag car do a race, but it would need to be up against a modern Hypercar just to keep it relevant.

Chiron would be good, but maybe something like the Rimac C2 or Lotus Evija. The electric hypercars are all about the 0-100 and it would be interesting to see how they fared against a proper car like yours.

I’ll ask Archie, as he’s got good links with Rimac.

[anonymous-user]

Beefmeister said:

It’s a tricky one, I too would love to see a proper drag car do a race, but it would need to be up against a modern Hypercar just to keep it relevant.

Chiron would be good, but maybe something like the Rimac C2 or Lotus Evija. The electric hypercars are all about the 0-100 and it would be interesting to see how they fared against a proper car like yours.

I’ll ask Archie, as he’s got good links with Rimac.

I remember the NHRA putting a 850bhp Trophy Truck up against a big show Funny Car a few years ago, but it's quite rare to pit different disciplines against each other (some tracks worry about the closing speed in the event of an accident). As you say, the CarWow and BOTB drag race videos get a huge amount of views, quickly.

Few of us sit in both circles when it comes appreciating supercars, hypercars and drag racing all at the same time. So generally, supercar people don't watch drag racing, and drag racers have never heard of Shmee or TGE. It's probably why Tom proudly proclaimed he'd drag race anything with his Turbo S, he simply wasn't aware of a world beyond his buying habits. I don't hold that against him, I've bumped into numerous supercar owners that are humble enough to admit they've never heard of a Fuel Funny Car, and when Sky F1 tell you that F1 cars are the most powerful, fastest accelerating race cars in the world, who's to argue with them.

The Rimac's an interesting proposition - and the antithesis of a push rod internal combustion engine, so potentially an interesting comparison as they sit at opposite ends of the performance car spectrum. From what I've read, the 0-186mph time is 11.8 seconds, and runs 9.1 in the standing 1/4. For reference, my old Fiat Topolino Altered managed this, many moons ago (granted, it was slowing down from 1000ft after kicking out 2 rods, and launched in 2nd gear) - the Corvette has about 1100hp more and isn't shaped like a barn door, so should be quite brisk.



We can try and arrange something next season, Beefy - as you probably know, the track's not open for regular business, and getting parts from the states (along with fuel - nitro comes from China) is proving hard work this year.

[Shnozz]

Funnily enough, the first Pistonfest that was held was at shakespeare county raceway. Proved good entertainment to watch PHers line up in their Ferraris, Porsches, TVRs etc and take on the drag cars head to head.

[GreatGranny]

New Harry's Garage out now!!!!

Viewing the latest lots for the up coming Silverstone Auction.

Some epic cars.

He was like a kid in a sweet shop

[anonymous-user]

Shnozz said:

Funnily enough, the first Pistonfest that was held was at shakespeare county raceway. Proved good entertainment to watch PHers line up in their Ferraris, Porsches, TVRs etc and take on the drag cars head to head.

I remember it, it's the main reason I signed up to PH all those years ago. It was good fun seeing some Model A Fords taking on TVR's

[Shnozz]

NFC 85 Vette said:

Shnozz said:

Funnily enough, the first Pistonfest that was held was at shakespeare county raceway. Proved good entertainment to watch PHers line up in their Ferraris, Porsches, TVRs etc and take on the drag cars head to head.

I remember it, it's the main reason I signed up to PH all those years ago. It was good fun seeing some Model A Fords taking on TVR's

I still have some (very blocky old digital camera) video footage. Particularly my mate Craig's old purple Cerbera against (I think) a model A.

Great weekend that was and sad Pistonfest only lasted a few years. BTaP, whilst fun, wasn't as good as a pistonhead festival drinking in a field LM style.

[CaptainSensib1e]

saxon said:

I guess the appeal of these channels is to see people 'living the dream' and owning cars most of us can only fantasize about, but there's no denying that to do so requires a very high level of income!

If you're of more modest means but a petrolhead I think the best advice I can give is to try to buy your dream car but then resist the urge to upgrade or change it every 2-3 years. I bought a TVR Griffith 4.0 litre secondhand in 1996 aged 27. It was a big stretch at the time but I paid it off over 5 years and resisted the urge to buy a brand new 5.0 LItre Griff which is what in an ideal world I would have done. As a result when I got married and a baby came along in my mid thirties the TVR was all paid up and all I had to find was the petrol and the maintenance bills. As a result there was no significant pressure to sell it because it wasn't costing me £600 a month in repayments.

I bought a daily driver of course eventually (in 2002) and despite some very tough financial times have been able to keep the Griff. During that time I have seen many friends and people on here forced to sell their pride and joy when the financial pressures of having kids or redundancy come along.

Of course the downside of doing this is the fact I never did get a 500 Griff, or a Lotus Esprit or Morgan Plus 8, all of which were on my desired car list. The upside however is that I now have a 24 year history and relationship with my Griff, a load of memories and I haven't had to wave goodbye to driving something really special. As I am now 51 I just hope I can keep enjoying her into retirement.

So my advice to the young guns - buy what you really want and then keep it! Don't keep changing car (unless you really can afford it easily)

Saxon

Very well said. My Uncle did something similar, he bought an E type Jag about 30 years ago for relatively sensible money, and has kept it ever since. He still loves pottering around in it and as time has passed it has become an even more special car.

He's recently paid quite a bit to have a restoration done on it, but for the fraction of the cost of buying one in similar condition. And it is immaculate now. He has no plans to sell it and will go to my cousin when he's told old to enjoy it any more.

It's a car that really is part of the family, they have loads of great memories accumulated over the years. And other than the restoration, it hasn't really cost him very much to keep it on the road day-to-day.

[tril]

NFC 85 Vette said:

Beefmeister said:

nuttywobbler said:

Harry’s Garage (and farm) are by far my favourite of the YouTube channels. I must admit I’m a sucker for a CarWow drag race, too. Don’t really follow much else. I’ve watched Jonny Smith aka Carpervert a few times, but I think I find his stuff a bit dull if I’m honest.

Drag races are the Youtube golden ticket these days. We (BOTB) sponsor all of Archie’s ones and the recent RS6 vs Urus one has blasted through a million views. Staggeringly popular.

Would a proper drag race, on an actual track, with some cars with adequate horsepower be as popular? It should, be generally isn't. I suppose it's because the audience can relate to an RS6 as it's somewhat more 'pop culture' than stuff designed for drag racing that's completely alien to the audience. Of course there's the argument of "you only drive in a straight line, therefore it's crap if it doesn't go around corners".

I'd love to put the Corvette up against a Chiron, or Turbo S next year at the Pod. It would be eye opening, but if it's not road legal, doesn't go around corners and cant do a lap of Belgrave Square, it's simply irrelevant in YouTube car culture

US audiences love this sort of stuff, but I don't think it will capture UK viewers. Stuff like 1320video and That Racing Channel are big US based drag and street racing channels.

[TheAngryDog]

NFC 85 Vette said:

Beefmeister said:

It’s a tricky one, I too would love to see a proper drag car do a race, but it would need to be up against a modern Hypercar just to keep it relevant.

Chiron would be good, but maybe something like the Rimac C2 or Lotus Evija. The electric hypercars are all about the 0-100 and it would be interesting to see how they fared against a proper car like yours.

I’ll ask Archie, as he’s got good links with Rimac.

I remember the NHRA putting a 850bhp Trophy Truck up against a big show Funny Car a few years ago, but it's quite rare to pit different disciplines against each other (some tracks worry about the closing speed in the event of an accident). As you say, the CarWow and BOTB drag race videos get a huge amount of views, quickly.

Few of us sit in both circles when it comes appreciating supercars, hypercars and drag racing all at the same time. So generally, supercar people don't watch drag racing, and drag racers have never heard of Shmee or TGE. It's probably why Tom proudly proclaimed he'd drag race anything with his Turbo S, he simply wasn't aware of a world beyond his buying habits. I don't hold that against him, I've bumped into numerous supercar owners that are humble enough to admit they've never heard of a Fuel Funny Car, and when Sky F1 tell you that F1 cars are the most powerful, fastest accelerating race cars in the world, who's to argue with them.

The Rimac's an interesting proposition - and the antithesis of a push rod internal combustion engine, so potentially an interesting comparison as they sit at opposite ends of the performance car spectrum. From what I've read, the 0-186mph time is 11.8 seconds, and runs 9.1 in the standing 1/4. For reference, my old Fiat Topolino Altered managed this, many moons ago (granted, it was slowing down from 1000ft after kicking out 2 rods, and launched in 2nd gear) - the Corvette has about 1100hp more and isn't shaped like a barn door, so should be quite brisk.



We can try and arrange something next season, Beefy - as you probably know, the track's not open for regular business, and getting parts from the states (along with fuel - nitro comes from China) is proving hard work this year.

Off topic, but do you have a son who has a V10 M5?

[cayman-black]

GreatGranny said:

New Harry's Garage out now!!!!

Viewing the latest lots for the up coming Silverstone Auction.

Some epic cars.

He was like a kid in a sweet shop

There are some super special cars in there! superb.

[anonymous-user]

TheAngryDog said:

Off topic, but do you have a son who has a V10 M5?

Not that I'm aware of...

[waynecyclist]

cayman-black said:

GreatGranny said:

New Harry's Garage out now!!!!

Viewing the latest lots for the up coming Silverstone Auction.

Some epic cars.

He was like a kid in a sweet shop

There are some super special cars in there! superb.

Some really nice cars in the sale, interesting to see the Mini from the love of cars is up for sale.

Porsche collection was epic

[anonymous-user]

tril said:

US audiences love this sort of stuff, but I don't think it will capture UK viewers. Stuff like 1320video and That Racing Channel are big US based drag and street racing channels.

Very true; we cant escape the geographical element. The sport (and the discipline) of drag racing, is quite niche in Europe (it's growing rapidly in Eastern Europe, and probably slightly reducing in Western Europe). That said, as a fundamental measure of performance, it's still quite popular for videos - if nothing else, it's good for those with short attention spans

In some ways I'd rather the renegade, Street Racing side of it (very popular in the US) didn't find its way over here - there's enough trouble with Mustangs leaving car shows already...